Thursday, December 6, 2007

Christians & Politics

The issue of religion's relationship to politics is the du jour topic on all the political news shows, blogs, etc. because of Governor Mike Huckabee's ascendancy from second-tier candidate status to legitimate front-runner. Since Huckabee has leap-frogged Mitt Romney, the Mormon candidate, religion and politics has dominated the conversation.

A casual perusal of this blog quickly reveals that I enjoy discussing politics and have strong political opinions. I do not think it sin for a Christian to hold political office, but I also do not believe that holding political office is the means by which God will bring righteousness to this or any nation. In his post Busenitz asks the questions:

Is it really the church’s mission, or even her responsibility, to gain political dominance? Should we preoccupy ourselves with congressional hearings, presidential campaigns, and economic plans? Do we need to form committees and coalitions who will raise millions of dollars to protect the Ten Commandments and vigilantly stand against any advance by the “immoral minority”?

The answer should be obvious to all, and Busenitz is correct when he writes:

No...Matthew 28:18-20 gives us the mission, or commission, with which we should be primarily concerned. It is hardly political in nature.

American Christians...must remember that our allegiance is first to God and only second to our government. Our primary concern then should be in saving souls rather than gaining votes. Rather than being consumed with political debates, we should be consumed with our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors. These are the efforts and activities that have eternal value. And while we preoccupy ourselves with the spiritual rather than the political, we can rest in knowing that He is sovereign over the governments and affairs of this world. (Emphasis added)

That's good stuff!

I like politics. I enjoy debating political issues. I enjoy exercising my American rights and privileges, but I fear that far too many Christians equate political activism with Biblical orthodoxy. Being a social, fiscal conservative Republican is not synonymous with being a Christian.

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On this blog I have listed links to articles, websites, videos, and books that I have found to be profitable and/or interesting. Just because I have linked to something does not mean that I agree with every position therein affirmed. I have made it a practice to read, not only the people with whom I am in agreement, but people with whom I do not uniformly agree; by such a practice I have been challenged and sharpened. Gauge what I believe and hold true by what I write and post; not by what those who are linked here write and post.

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I am married to Dianna, and we have three boys. Both of us were raised in SE Indiana. While I did my stint in the military we lived in Northern Virginia. Now home is Garland, TX where we minister in the Rodgers Baptist Church.

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Instead of “conversation” you may prefer the word “rant”. That is fine; go ahead and rant, but always be mindful of the One Rule. The One Rule is to be respectful with your rants, ruminations, and observations. I really do not care if your opinion is different from mine, but I am concerned with your attitude of expression.